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'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot'

A controversial and comedic play by Stephen Adly Guirgis, "The Last Days of Judas Iscariot," will take the stage in the Studio Theatre of the Silver Center for the Arts at Plymouth State University Thursday through Sunday, March 7-10.

The play is set in present day Purgatory, with flashbacks to Judas' childhood and adult life. It is presented as a court case during which two lawyers bring numerous witnesses including Mother Teresa, Pontius Pilate and Satan before a judge to discuss Judas' motives.

In addition to witnesses, various saints also make appearances to contribute to the discussion of judgment and forgiveness.

Because of the sensitive nature of the debate of Judas' innocence in his betrayal of Jesus Christ, as well as some crude languag, the play isn't recommended for younger audiences.

Still, director Sharon Paquette said the play is not only thought-provoking but actually humorous.

Paquette hopes that audiences will "spend a night in the theater that not only entertains them, but leaves them thinking, questioning and possibly working to change the worlds they live in to ones that are more compassionate and forgiving, of themselves and others."

The cast includes PSU theatre arts majors Nicky Mandiola, a junior from Manchester, as Fabiana Cunningham; Beau Fisher, a junior from Nashua, as Judas; Hayden Stearns, a sophomore from Windham, Conn., as Jesus; Chase Perkins, a sophomore from Manchester, as Satan; Luke Meierdiercks, a senior from St. Johnsbury, Vt., as Butch Honeywell and Morgaine Andrews, a senior from North Conway as Henrietta.

Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 3 p.m.

"The Last Days of Judas Iscariot" is not appropriate for children or preteens. An adult should accompany any children attending a performance of the play.

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Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and youth at the Silver Center Box Office at 535-2787 or (800) 779-3869. Tickets also are available online at Silver.plymouth.edu.